Tampa-bound air marshal accused of taking lewd photos

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal air marshal has been arrested and accused of taking cell phone photographs underneath women’s skirts as they boarded a plane at Nashville International Airport to Tampa.

Nashville police say Adam J. Bartsch was on duty on Southwest Airline Flight 3132 on Thursday when a witness noticed he was taking the photos and grabbed his cell phone. Police say the witness notified a flight attendant and Bartsch was taken off the flight and charged with disorderly conduct.

WKRN-TV reports the Transportation Security Administration said Thursday afternoon that Bartsch was removed from duty and the TSA is assisting with the investigation. The agency said it is in the process of suspending or terminating Bartsch’s employment.

WKRN-TV quoted a Southwest Airlines statement that read in part,” We turned the matter over to local law enforcement, and the passenger did not travel as scheduled. The rest of the passengers and crew continued on to Tampa as scheduled.”

The station said the 28-year-old Bartsch lives in Maryland and was released on $10,000 bail.